why does copper conduct electricity but rubber doesn't. Not only this, but the answer needs to relate to the particle theory.
2007-03-11 12:23:58 · 5 answers · asked by aditya_dhaliwal 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
no need of particle physics here
electricity was developed long before the modern physics
your 1st respondent got it well
2007-03-11 15:15:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Copper is a reddish-colored metal, with a high electrical and thermal conductivity (silver is the only pure metal to have a higher electrical conductivity at room temperature). Copper occupies the same family of the periodic table as silver and gold, since they each have one S-orbital electron on top of a filled shell. This similarity in electron structure makes them similar in many characteristics. All have very high thermal and electrical conductivity.
Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer, In its relaxed state rubber consists of long, coiled-up polymer chains that are interlinked at a few points making it a terrible conductor. However with enough current even rubber will conduct electricity.
2007-03-11 19:37:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
electrons have to flow for electricity to be conducted.
Copper has a regular lattice structure that is flexible, yet organized. The flexibility means that it can be shaped and pulled into wire. The regularity of the structure means that the electrons have channels on which to flow, conducting electricity.
Rubber is an amorphous solid with no regularity. The electrons cannot find a path to travel.
2007-03-11 19:29:05 · answer #3 · answered by reb1240 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's the valence band, where electrons are bound to the atom. Then there's the conduction band where electrons are free to move between atoms.
In an insulator, there is a wide difference in energy to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. In a semiconductor, this difference in energy is smaller. In a conductor, there is no difference in energy to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band.
In a conductor, electrons are free to move around from one atom to another. In an insulator, the electrons are tightly bound to a single atom.
2007-03-11 23:56:34 · answer #4 · answered by vrrJT3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the hell!
2007-03-11 19:30:45 · answer #5 · answered by Yung Naruto 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋